Find out the scoop on the CAVS from award-winning sports writer Bob Finnan.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Dying for a close game

Cavs blog by Bob Finnan

I'm absolutely dying to watch a close game. In the last six games - all wins by the Cavaliers - their closest margin of victory is 12 points.

In the latest stretch, they are winning by a margin of 21.7 points. The Cavs are blowing teams away. The host the Indiana Pacers on Friday. They upset the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.

The Pacers score points in bunches. Danny Granger has evolved into a top offensive threat.

But the Pacers' problem has been stopping teams. They just don't defend.

That's what separates the Cavs from many other teams. They have become a superb defensive team. The Cavs have held their last five opponents to a combined 38.9 percent shooting (159 of 409) and an average of 89.2 points per game.

In that span the Cavs are scoring 112.6 points per game and are shooting 50 percent from the field.

It's going to be a fun year.

When I was leaving Milwaukee the other night, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writer Tom Enlund left the press room by saying, "Have fun working in June."

He was obviously referring to the Cavs making it back to the NBA Finals.